10 thoughts (I shouldn’t be thinking) during yoga

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Melanie Fielder (from left) Molly McHenry Terry Sullivan and Robbie Lehman hold their pose Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event at Principal Park in Des Moines. The event was a celebration for the yoga studio as they wrapped up their 20/30 challenge, where participants were challenged to do 20 yoga workouts in 30 days. Michael Zamora/The Register

Kylea Pote smiles while holding her position among hundreds of participants Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event at Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Shannon Strickler (left) and daughter Kate, 8, stick their tongues out like lizards Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event at Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Yoga instructor Vincent Nola (right) takes a selfie with participant Richard Mockobee Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Yoga instructor Vincent Nola leads participants through a mass yoga class Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa Cubs outfielder John Andreoli (center) leaps up off the mat as he and his teammates Adron Chambers (left) and Anthony Giansanti do a tuck and jump move instructors called the eggroll Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event at Principal Park in Des Moines. The event was a celebration for the yoga studio as they wrapped their 20/30 challenge, where participants were challenged to do 20 yoga workouts in 30 days. Michael Zamora/The Register

Jeff Danielson of Urbandale sets out his mat near the scoreboard Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Iowa Cubs outfielder John Andreoli (center) leaps off the mat as he and his teammates Adron Chambers (left) and Anthony Giansanti do a tuck and jump move instructors called the eggroll Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event at Principal Park in Des Moines. The event was a celebration for the yoga studio as they wrapped their 20/30 challenge, where participants were challenged to do 20 yoga workouts in 30 days. Michael Zamora/The Register

Terry Sullivan (right) looks over at Molly McHenry, both of Des Moines, as they change yoga poses Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event at Principal Park in Des Moines. The event was a celebration for the yoga studio as they wrapped up their 20/30 challenge, where participants were challenged to do 20 yoga workouts in 30 days. Michael Zamora/The Register

Lucy Lutz, 3, lies on her mother, Melanie Rocha-Lutz, as they breath deep along side Kyle Flora (right) Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Head grounds keeper Chris Schlosser wets the infield dirt Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, as participants start to settle into the outfield for the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event at Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Kevin McCarty (right) and a row of participants run through a yoga workout Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Grounds crews continue to prepare the stadium for the evening's Iowa Cubs game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Meredith Welbes (center) and hundreds of participants finish up their workout Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Julie Methlie of Urbandale (right) laughs as she and hundreds of yoga enthusiasts hold a pose Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Amy Koenig (left) high fives Isaac Koenig, 10, after they finished the warm up exercises Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

Kent Lutz breathes deep Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, as hundreds of participants finish their workout during the Power Life Yoga at the Ballpark event in the outfield of Principal Park in Des Moines. Michael Zamora/The Register

If you’ve ever practiced yoga, you know that each pose presents it’s own challenges. Some require strength, while others call for flexibility or balance. However, sometimes the most difficult part of a yoga practice aren’t the asanas at all — it’s staying focused.

Somewhere between all those chaturangas and (finally!) nailing crow pose, it is all too easy for a yogi like myself to lose that focus. Despite my best efforts to stay present, here are a few thoughts that have found their way into my practice:

1. That lady’s yoga pants are totally see-through. Hold on. Are my yoga pants see-through!? Good thing I’m in the back row.

2. My mind is clear. I am thinking about nothing. Or am I thinking about thinking about nothing? Ugh. Now I’m thinking again!

3. Abs in. Hips squared. Lengthen the side bodies. Now twist — what? This is physically not possible.

4. Wow. I have never sweated so much in my life. Even the tops of my toes are sweating.

5. Did I lock the door? Focus. What should I eat for lunch? Focus! Oh, I really like this song! This is hopeless.